The government is likely to settle for Rs 40.4 billion as the reserve price for 3G spectrum to be allocated to six private operators. The prime minister has also reportedly backed the proposal to increase the base price from Rs 20.2 billion as had been proposed earlier.

However, the communications and IT minister, A. Raja, has maintained that no final decision has been taken and it would be either the group of ministers or the union cabinet that would take a call on the spectrum reserve price.